Racing Forum column - February 2

I AM hoping Sandown’s busy card gets the go ahead this weekend as my Champion Hurdle horse Darlan is due to run.

He really needs to win convincingly as Hurricane Fly will be no push-over come the day of reckoning.

Nicky Henderson has also entered Captain Conan in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Nov Chase on the same card (funnily enough this is a horse Darlan beat at Aintree last year). While Darlan looks a Champion Hurdler Captain Conan has always looked more of a natural chaser.

I will also be looking to Henderson’s third entry on the supporting card Roberto Goldback to win the 3m chase, I think the conditions of the race are tailor made for the top weight.

All in all, it will be a day for keeping an eye on just how fit Henderson’s horses are after the winter break due to the weather, as I certainly got the impression last weekend at Cheltenham that there was further improvement to come.